Bitter Better by Magugu & Le Motel

Label boss Le Motel and versatile pidgin-rap experimentalist Magugu return to Maloca for their second full-length EP, Bitter Better. Drawing roots once again from across the full club music continuum, the release is a tour de force through rugged rhythmic workouts and self-assured vocal flows as the duo continue to develop their shared universe.

The EP marks a long standing collaborative relationship which has existed between the 2 artists since 2021. Bitter Better shows them at their best as they continue to experiment across any BPM and genre possible, further unifying a collective musical voice defined by Le Motel’s signature organic percussive detail and Magugu’s confident and dynamic vocal delivery.

Anthemic, heavy and unashamedly fun throughout, standard conventions get thrown out of the window from the first track. Bad From Day unites strands of bass, grime and psy-trance into a cavernous sound system weapon which is enhanced by Magugu’s restrained demonstration in vocal proficiency, keeping his cards playfully close to his chest in anticipation of what’s to come. The heat turns up on Bitter Better as a dancehall pulse interplays with frenetic jungle rhythms and Magugu’s rapid fire vocals which elevate the track into an anthem guaranteed to turn heads. Up next, things descend into the sub-infused, murky atmosphere of No Fear. A roller populated by underwater pads and drill bass slides, the track is driven along by an identifiably dubstep feel and Magugu’s own self-confidence, his call of “king kong” setting him up as an irresistible force of nature. On Gal Dem, things move back into lighter, more skittering territory, as Le Motel and Magugu bring together strands of afrobeats and UK funky into a summer-ready banger. Magugu’s self-confidence is evident throughout the release, but nowhere is it more apparent than on Believe, which delivers a strong message of inner-strength, self-belief and thinking positively in the face of adversity. This final track acts as the most emotional point on the whole release, as a bouncing UK garage beat carries along a more synth-rich, introspective experience than its counterparts.

Available on vinyl, Bitter Better is also the artists’ first ever shared physical release - all 5 tracks appearing on side A. On the B side, the duo’s first EP, 2023’s Kindness Weakness can be found, making this record a must-have for long standing fans and those just discovering Le Motel and Magugu’s output.

GPSR Information

Manufacturer Information
Name: K7 Music GmbH
Address: Gerichtstr. 35



Website: https://k7.com/contact/
European Manufacturer: Yes


Importer Information
Address: Gerichtstr. 35 DE- 13347 Berlin

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